Easel-type picture frame



June I, 1965 H. DETJE ,186,

EASEL-TYPE PICTURE FRAME Filed July 23, 1962 l2 ,1 j i i rm Ja i l6 s I9 E i 4 INVENTOR. HENRY DETJE Attorneys United States Patent 3,186,117 EASEL-TYPE PICTURE FRAME Henry Detje, 1566 Valencia, Denver 8, Colo. FiledJuly 2351962, Ser. No. 211,768 8 Claims. (Cl; ill-152.1)

This invention relates to easel-type picture frames particularly suited for mounting on a base-supporting structure. V

Easel type. picture frames are widely used for photographic portrait and similar displays, and usually are so arranged that the picture can be mounted in only one position within the frame. As a consequence, a dealer must stock two different frame units of the same size in order to provide picture mounting in either horizontal or vertical arrangement as the customer requires. This circumstance adds to the inventory investment and storage space requirements of the dealer.

It is an object of my invention to provide a simple, eflicient and easily manipulated easel-type picture frame assembly forselective mounting and display of pictures in either ahorizontal or vertical arrangement.

Another object of my invention is to provide an adjustable support member in an easel-type picture frame which permits selective, inclination of the frame.

Other objects reside in novel detailsof construction and novel combinations and. arrangements of parts all of which will be set forth in detail in the course of the following description.

The practice of my invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating a typical structural embodiment. In the drawings in the several views of which like parts bear similar reference numerals,

FIG. 1' is a rear elevation of an easel-type picture frame embodying features of my invention positioned for mounting a picture for horizontal display;

'FIG. 2 is another rear elevation of the picture frame shown in FIG. 1', with its rear supporting member moved from the position of FIG. 1 as represented by the fr-agg mentary dash line pattern so as to position a picture for- As-.used in this specification, horizontal arrangement" or horizontal display are in reference to the picture in the frame and the picture will have its top in parallel to the lengthwise or hoizontal axis of the frame. In a vertical arr-angemen or vertical display, the picture will have its top transverse to the lengthwise axis of the frame. Height. is usedin reference to the triangular support member and designates the axis extending from the apex perpendicular to the base.

As shown in FIG. 1, a picture frame '12 comprising a typical embodiment ofrny. invention and of oblong shape i for selective rotation .to the supporting positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The'pivotpin 15 ispositioned on the backing member 14 an equal distance in from twoadjacent sides of the backing member. Pin 15 extends through 3,186,117 Patented June 1, 1965 ice an opening in the flap member 13 which is oifto one side from a line drawn perpendicular from the base to the apex of flap member 13. This arrangement allows the flap member 13 to extend beyond the frame for an equivalent distance from the frame and has its base portion centrally disposed for balanced support when the frame is supported in either the horizontal or vertical display posi-T tions. The head 15a of pin *15 is'drawn against a metal plate 17 (FIGS. 4 and 5 secured between inner and outer strips 14a and 14b respectively of-the backing member 14. As illustrated the inner strip 14a comprises two layers of material with the forward layer 14x.of yieldable material providing a friction surface as a rest or seat for the picture to be displayed in the frame.

An elongated spring 18 is fitted against the inner face. of flap 13 and a cap or nut 19 having. an internally threaded bore 19x is mounted on the outer end of a screw 21 extending through spring 18 and the rear surface of flap 13. The spring 18 is bent as shown at 22 to dispose the base of the flap beyond the vertical plane through the pivotal connection when it is functioning asusupport for the frame, and permits the flap to be moved in parallel with backing member 14ywhen not in use, as for storage or shipment.

As shown in FIG. 4, frame 12 has its forwardedge 23, upset to provide a channel section or enclosure. Atrans parent coversheet 24, preferably glass, hasa beveled edge 24x and is of a dimension slightly'greater in area than .the oblong edge structure 23. Frame 12 possesses sufficient resilience to perm-it the cover to bezs'prllng into place with-. in the enclosure and complete a dust-tight protection fora picture mounted in the space 25 between cover sheet 24x and the friction surface of layer 14x.

A preferred arrangementof' the picture frame assembly includes-the use of one or more, usually .a plurality, spring clips 20 which areadaptedto be c-lampingly secured on the frame and utilized both for ornamentation and to secure the frame assembly. against accidental separation.

Each clip comprises an elongated body of channel section 1 5 (FIG. 4) having a lengthwise slot 20x in which a spring 26 has its ends fitted and an intermediate portion thereof extendsoutside the groove in bowed arrangement. The

spring 26 is spaced from the inner end ofthe clip channel 7 a distance slightly greater than the vertical width ofthe frame section so that when'the clip is in position on frame 12 as shown in FIG. 4 it functions as a clamp to hold the assembly together.

The clamping action of clips 20 permits them to be mounted in s elected positions on the. framefor ornamentation. In FIG. 1 one such clip is centered at the top along the vertical axis of the frame and one clip is centered on each side of the frame along its horizontal axis. In FIG. 2, the mounting position of the frame has been rotated ninety degrees and one clip is centered on the vertical axis at the top of the frame and two are placed in end-abutting relation and centered on the ver:- ticaliaxis on the bottom of-the frame as shown in the dash linerepresentation.

Thechannel of the clips provides sufiicient clearance over the exterior surface of the frame to permit manipulation in a rolling and lifting movement applied at one end which has the effect of depressing the bowed porition of spring 26 so that the clip may be withdrawn'from the'frame. In similar manner, the spring 26 is depressed V to clamp the clip to theframe.

A picture frame assembly of the type described func- .tions effectively in use as the pictorial matter being displayed issealed eifectivelyfrom the damaging effects of dust, humidity and the like and is protected against ac,- cidental separation of components in. handling or when standing. The flap mounting permits the same frame to be used in vertical or horizontal display of subject matter, and the flap may be adjusted to space its base relative to the base of the frame as a final adjustment of inclination of the frame in its display location.

Changes and modifications may be availed of within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the hereinto appended claims.

I claim:

1. An easel-type picture frame, comprising an oblong frame member having recessed portions defining an enclosing support for a picture, a sheet of transparent material fitted in the recess enclosure forwardly of the picture in covering relation thereto, a backing member held in the recess enclosure rearwardly of the picture and pressing the picture in contact with the transparent sheet, a pivot pin secured on said backing member in an offcenter position an equal distance in from two adjacent sides of the backing member and projecting from its exposed surface, and a hinged flap member mounted for rotation on the pivot pin so that a flat base portion of the flap extends beyond the frame for an equivalent distance and is centrally disposed at two positions in its rotation for supporting the picture frame in an upright attitude in either of said positions.

2. An easel-type picture frame, comprising an oblong frame member having recessed portions defining an enclosing support for a picture, a sheet of transparent material fitted in the recess enclosure forwardly of the picture in covering relation thereto, a backing member held in the recess enclosing rearwardly of the picture and pressing the picture in contact with the transparent sheet, a pivot pin secured on said backing member in an off-center position an equal distance in from two adjacent sides of the backing member and projecting from its exposed surface, and a hinged flap member mounted for rotation on the pivot pin so that a flat base portion of the flap extends beyond the frame for an equivalent distance and is centrally disposed at two positions spaced at 90 in its rotation for supporting the picture frame in an upright attitude in either of said positions.

3. An easel-type picture frame, comprising an ob long frame member having recessed portions defining an enclosing support for a picture, a sheet of transparent material fitted in the recess enclosure forwardly of the picture in covering relation thereto, a backing member held in the recess enclosure rearwardly of the picture and pressing the picture in contact with the transparent sheet, a pivot pin secured on said backing member in an off-center position an equal distance in from two adjacent sides of the backing member and projecting from its exposed surface, and a flap member having a spring hinging portion mounted for rotation on the pivot pin so that a fiat base portion of the flap member extends beyond the frame for an equivalent distance and is centrally disposed at two positions in its rotation for supporting the picture frame in an upright attitude in either of said positions.

4. An easel-type picture frame, comprising an oblong frame member having recessed portions defining an enclosing support for a picture, a sheet of transparent material fitted in the recess enclosure forwardly of the picture in covering relation thereto, a backing member held in the recess enclosure rearwardly of the picture and pressing the picture in contact with the transparent sheet, a pivot pin secured on said backing member in an & center position an equal distance in from two adjacent sides of the backing member and projecting from its exposed surface, and hinged triangular flap member mounted for rotation on the pivot pin so that a fiat base portion of the flap member extends beyond the frame for an equivalent distance and is centrally disposed at two positions spaced at 90 in its rotation for supporting the picture frame in an upright attitude in either of said positions and the height of the flap in said positions coinciding with the lengthwise or transverse axis of the frame.

5. An easel-type picturef rame, comprising an oblong frame member having recessed portions defining an enclosing support for a picture, a sheet of transparent material fitted in the recess enclosure forwardly of the picture in covering relation thereto, a backing member held in the recess enclosure rearwardly of the picture and pressing the picture in contact with the transparent sheet, a pivot pin secured on said backing member in an offcenter position an equal distance in from two adjacent sides of the backing member and projecting from its exposed surface, and a flexible flap member mounted for rotation on the pivot pin so that a flat base portion of the flap member extends beyond the frame for an equivalent distance at two positions and is centrally disposed in its rotation for supporting the picture frame in an upright attitude in either of said positions.

6. The combination with a frame forming an enclosure for display of pictorial matter in an upright position, said frame being of channel section to provide a recessed area in which components are mounted, a backing member disposed in the rear of the recessed area and forming a back cover for the frame, a transparent sheet having a beveled edge in the front of the recessed area, and a sheet of display material disposed between the backing member and the transparent sheet in the recessed area with its viewing surface facing the transparent sheet, of a clip of channel section straddling the frame pressing against the beveled edge to hold the components in the recessed area and having an elongated bowed spring extending beyond the frame and in contact with the frame to secure said clip to the frame.

7. The combination with a frame forming an enclosure for display of pictorial matter in an upright position, said frame being of channel section to provide a recessed area in which components are mounted, a backing member disposed in the rear of the recessed area and forming a back cover for the frame, a transparent sheet having a beveled edge in the front of the recessed area, and a sheet of display material disposed between the backing member and the transparent sheet in the recessed area with its viewing surface facing the transparent sheet, of a clip of channel section straddling the frame pressing against the beveled edge to hold the components in the recessed area and having an elongated bowed spring member extending outwardly beyond an adjoining surface of the frame with portions bearing against the adoining surface of the frame for securing the clip on the frame.

3. An easel-type picture frame comprising an oblong frame member having recessed portions defining an enclosing support for a picture, a sheet of transparent material having an outer beveled edge and fitted in the recess enclosure forwardly of the picture in covering relation thereto, a backing member held in the recess enclosure rearwardly of the picture and pres-sing the picture in contact with the transparent sheet, a pivot pin secured on said backing member in an off-center position an equal distance in from two adjacent sides of the backing member and projecting from its exposed surface, a triangular flap member mounted for rotation on the pivot pin so that a Hat base portion of the flap member extends beyond the frame for an equivalent distance and is centrally disposed at two positions spaced at in its rotation for supporting the picture frame in an upright attitude in either of said positions, and at least one detachable clip of channel section straddling the frame pressing against the beveled edge to hold the components in the recessed portion of the frame and having an elongated bowed spring extending beyond the frame and in contact with the frame to secure said clip to. the frame.

(References on following page) References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 5,812 4/87 Great Britain. Jacobus 4 152 1 325,219 3/35 y. Goodnow 40152.1 Dreisbach 5 JEROME SCHNALL, Prlmary Examzner.

Woodbury 40-152 

1. AN EASEL-TYPE PICTURE FRAME, COMPRISING AN OBLONG FRAME MEMBER HAVING RECESSED PORTIONS DEFINING AN ENCLOSING SUPPORT FOR A PICTURE, A SHEET OF TRANSPARENT MATERIAL FITTED IN THE RECESS ENCLOSURE FORWARDLY OF THE PICTURE IN COVERING RELATION THERETO, A BACKING MEMBER HELD IN THE RECESS ENCLOSURE REARWARDLY OF THE PICTURE AND PRESSING THE PICTURE IN CONTACT WITH THE TRANSPARENT SHEET, A PIVOT PIN SECURED ON SAID BACKING MEMBER IN AN OFFCENTER POSITION AN EQUAL DISTANCE IN FROM TWO ADJACENT SIDES OF THE BACKING MEMBER AND PROJECTING FROM ITS EXPOSED SURFACE, AND A HINGED FLAP MEMBER MOUNTED FOR ROTATION ON THE PIVOT PIN SO THAT A FLAT BASE PORTION OF THE FLAP EXTENDS BEYOND THE FRAME FOR AN EQUIVALENT DISTANCE AND IS CENTRALLY DISPOSED AT TWO POSITIONS IN ITS ROTATION FOR SUPPORTING THE PICTURE FRAME IN AN UPRIGHT ATTITUDE IN EITHER OF SAID POSITION. 